Media tray

ABSTRACT

Various embodiment and methods relating to a media tray are disclosed.

BACKGROUND

Media interaction devices may include trays for supporting sheets ofmedia being supplied to the device or discharged from the device.Excessive forces or loads on such trays may cause substantial damage tothe trays and to the device itself.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a media interaction deviceaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the media interaction device ofFIG. 1 illustrating separation of trays according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top perspective view of another embodiment ofthe media interaction device of FIG. 1 according to an examplebottoming.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a job separator assembly of thedevice of FIG. 3 according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded view of a portion of the jobseparator assembly of FIG. 4 according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a bracket and tether of theassembly of FIG. 4 according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a tray of theassembly of FIG. 4 according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tether of the assembly of FIG. 4according to an example embodiment.

FIGS. 9A-9F are fragmentary perspective views illustrating separation ofthe tray from a remainder of the media interaction device according toan example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates media interaction system 10 accordingto one example embodiment. Media interaction device 10 is configured tointeract with sheets of media. Media interaction device includes housing12, media input 14, media transport 16, interaction element 18,finishing elements 22, 24 and 26 and media outputs 32, 34 and 36.Housing 12 comprises one or more structures supporting and at leastpartially enclosing media transport 16, interaction element 18 andfinishing elements 22, 24 and 26. Housing 12 serves as a frame orsupporting structure for media input 14 and media outputs 32, 34 and 36.Housing 12 may have a variety of different sizes, shapes andconfigurations.

Media input 14 comprises an arrangement of components or structuresconfigured to facilitate supplying media interaction device 10 withsheets of media. In the example embodiment illustrated, media input 14is substantially similar to media outputs 34, 36 and 38. Media input 14includes edge strip 44, tray 46 and tether 48. Edge strip 44 comprises aplatform or ledge projecting from housing 12 proximate to mediatransport 16. Edge step 44 extends between tray 46 and housing 12 so asto space tray 46 from housing 12. Strip 44 enhances separation of tray46 from housing 12 to reduce the likelihood of damage to housing 12. Inother embodiments, edge strip and 44 may be omitted and tray 46 may bedirectly connected to housing 12.

Tray 46 comprises one of more structures forming a platform andproviding a surface upon which sheets of media to be interacted upon maybe placed, stored and loaded into media interaction device 10. Tray 46is releasably connected to edge strip 44. Tray 46 is configured toseparate or break-away from edge strip 44 in response to a load or forceupon tray 46 exceeding a predetermined threshold value prior tosubstantial plastic deformation of tray 46 or of those portionsconnecting tray 46 to device 10. For purposes of this disclosure, theterm “plastic deformation” means a deformation or bending of a structuresuch that the structure does not resiliently return to its originalshape after the force that bent or deformed the structure has ceased.For purposes of this disclosure, with respect to the connection betweena tray and a media interaction device or edge strip, a “substantialplastic deformation” is a plastic deformation to an extent such that thetray may no longer be reconnected to the media interaction device orsuch that even if the tray can be reconnected, the tray may no longersupport similar loads of media without separation from the device asbefore such deformation.

The predetermined threshold value at which tray 46 separates from edgestrip 44 and a remainder of media interaction device 10 is chosen suchthat tray 46 may support acceptable quantities of media to be interactedupon, such as a predetermined weight of a stack of the sheets, and suchthat tray 46 will separate or breakaway from edge strip 44 and aremainder of device 10 when the load upon tray 46 is so great thatdamage to tray 46 or damage to the connection between tray 46 and edgestrip 44 may otherwise occur. In such a scenario, tray 46 is configuredto separate from edge strip 44 (or housing 12 when edge strip 44 isomitted) to preserve tray 46 and the connecting structures. Afterbreaking away, tray 46 may be reconnected to edge strip 44.

In the particular illustrated embodiment in which tray 46 iscantilevered, tray 46 is configured to break away or separate inresponse to the connection of tray 46 and edge strip 44 experiencing atorque exceeding a predetermined threshold torque. The torqueexperienced by tray 46 is a product of the downward force imposed upontray 46 and the distance separating the center of gravity of sheets ofmedia, which may impose at least some of the downward force upon tray46, from the connection point. The threshold torque is the product of apredetermined threshold force and the distance separating an expectedlocation of the center of gravity of sheets and the connection point.Since most sheets held by the tray will have the same center of gravityregardless of how large the stack of sheets is, separation of tray 46 islargely dependent upon the downward force imposed by the sheets. Incertain circumstances, downward forces imposed upon tray 46 may haveother sources such as other items shelved upon tray 46 or manualdownward forces. In other embodiments in which tray 46 is notcantilevered, tray 46 may be configured to separate in response toexperiencing a force exceeding a threshold independent of the locationof applied force.

Although tray 46 is schematically illustrated as angled upward abovehorizontal, in other embodiments, tray 46 may be horizontal. Althoughtray 46 is schematically illustrated as a generally flat or planarplate, in other embodiments, tray 46 may have upwardly or downwardlyextending sidewalls for containing or aligning such sheets of media upontray 46. In yet other embodiments, tray 46 may alternatively comprise anon-cantilevered storage structure for media to be interacted upon. Forexample, tray 46 may alternatively comprise a media drawer, bin or thelike. In such embodiments where tray 46 is not cantilevered, edge strip44 may be omitted and tray 46 may alternatively be configured so as tonot breakaway or separate from a remainder of media interaction device10 in response to a load exceeding a threshold.

Tether 48 comprises a flexible member coupled between tray 46 andhousing 12. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” shallmean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another.Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Suchjoining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and anyadditional intermediate members being integrally formed as a singleunitary body with one another or with the two members or the two membersand any additional intermediate member being attached to one another.Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may beremovable or releasable in nature.

Tether 48 suspends tray 46 after tray 46 has separated from mediainteraction device 10 in substantially all other respects. Tether 48reduces an extent to which tray 46 falls and may serve to reducepotential damage to tray 46 after such separation. In other embodiments,tether 48 may be connected to edge strip 44 and an exterior of housing12. In yet other embodiments, tether 48 may be omitted.

Media transport 16 comprises one or more structures or one or moremechanisms configured to engage and transport or move sheets of mediafrom media input 14 relative to interaction element 18, selectively toone of finishing elements 22, 24, 26 and selectively to one of outputs32, 34 and 36. In one embodiment, media transport 16 includes one ormore rollers, belts and the like operably coupled to a motor (not shown)and driven by the motor so as to frictionally engage and move suchsheets of media. In other embodiments media transport 16 may have otherconfigurations.

Interaction element 18 comprises one or more devices configured tointeract with sheets of media in one or more fashions. In oneembodiment, interaction element 18 may comprise one or more inkjetprintheads configured to eject ink or other fluid upon media inpredetermined patterns or images. In one embodiment, media transport 16may be configured to redirect printed upon sheets back to interactionelement 18 for duplex printing. In another embodiment, interactionelement 18 may comprise an electrophotographic printing deviceconfigured to apply toner to sheets of media on one or more sides. Inyet another embodiment, interaction element 18 may be configured to scanor read data or images from sheets of media. In particular embodiments,interaction element 18 may be configured to perform multiple functions,such as scanning and printing. In some embodiments, interaction element18 may be omitted, wherein media interaction device 10 interacts withmedia solely with either finishing elements 22, 24 and 26.

Finishing elements 22, 24 and 26 comprise elements configured to performadditional different interaction operations upon sheets of media.Examples of such additional interaction operations include stapling,folding, collating and the like. In particular embodiments, mediatransport 16 may be configured to move sheets of media to more than oneof finishing elements 22, 24 and 26 before such sheets of media aredischarged to one of outputs 32, 34 and 36. In yet other embodiments,media interaction device 10 may omit finishing elements 22, 24 and 26,wherein media outputs 32, 34 and 36 may be used to receive and separatedifferent batches or sets of interacted upon media.

Media outputs 32, 34 and 36 and are configured to receive interactedupon media from device 10 and to present such sheets of media forwithdrawal from device 10. Media outputs 32, 34 and 36 separatedifferent batches are sets of media. In the exam illustrated, mediaoutputs 32, 34 and 36 are vertically arranged and cantilevered along anexterior of housing 12. Although the interaction device 10 isillustrated as including three in media outputs, and other environments,media interaction device 10 may include greater or fewer than threemedia outputs and such media outputs and other arrangements along anexterior of housing 12.

Media outputs 32, 34 and 36 are each substantially identical to oneanother. Each of media output 32, 34, 36 includes edge strip of 54, tray56 and tether 58. Edge strip 54 comprises a platform or ledge projectingfrom housing 12 proximate to media transport 16. Edge strip 54 extendsbetween tray 56 and housing 12 so as to space tray 56 from housing 12.Edge strip 54 enhances separation of tray 56 from housing 12 to reducelikelihood of damage to housing 12. In other embodiments, edge strip 54may be omitted and tray 56 may be directly connected to housing 12.

Tray 56 comprises one of more structures forming a platform andproviding a surface upon which sheets of discharged media may be placedand stored. Tray 56 is releasably connected to edge strip 54. Tray 56 isconfigured to separate or break-away from edge strip 54 in response to aload or force upon tray 56 exceeding a predetermined threshold value.The predetermined threshold value at which tray 56 separates from edgestrip 54 and a remainder of media interaction device 10 is chosen suchthat tray 56 may support acceptable quantities of discharged media, suchas a predetermined weight of a stack of sheets and such that tray 56will separate or breakaway from edge strip 54 when the load upon tray 56is so great that damage to tray 56 or damage to the connection betweentray 56 and edge strip 54 may otherwise occur. In such a scenario, tray56 is configured to separate from edge strip 54 (or housing 12 when edgestrip 54 is omitted) to preserve tray 56 and the connecting structures.After breaking away, tray 56 may be reconnected to edge strip 54.

Although tray 56 is schematically illustrated as angled upward abovehorizontal, in other embodiments, tray 56 may be horizontal. Althoughtray 56 is schematically illustrated as a generally flat or planarplate, in other embodiments, tray 56 may have upwardly or downwardlyextending sidewalls for containing or aligning such sheets of media upontray 56.

Tether 58 comprises a flexible member coupled between tray 56 andhousing 12. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” shallmean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another.Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Suchjoining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and anyadditional intermediate members being integrally formed as a singleunitary body with one another or with the two members or the two membersand any additional intermediate member being attached to one another.Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may beremovable or releasable in nature.

Tether 58 suspends tray 56 after tray 56 has separated from mediainteraction device 10 in substantially all other respects. Tether 58reduces an extent to which tray 56 falls and may serve to reducepotential damage to tray 56 after such separation. In other embodiments,tether 58 may be connected to edge strip 54 in lieu of housing 12. Inyet other embodiments, tether 58 may be omitted.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates operation of media outputs 32, 34 and36 in response to a load (represented by arrow 66) resulting from astack 68 of media exceeding a predetermined threshold value. FIG. 2further illustrates trays 56 of media outputs 34 and 36 alsoexperiencing a load from other stacks of 68 of media. The predeterminedthreshold value is selected such that tray 56 will separate from itsassociated edge strip 54 prior to damage to tray 56 or edge strip 54. Atthe same time, the predetermined threshold value is set such that eachtray 56 may accommodate an expected load or force from a stack ofdischarged media. In one embodiment, the predetermined threshold valueis between about 9 pounds and about 48 pounds and nominally betweenabout 12 pounds and 37 pounds. In other embodiments, the predeterminedthreshold may have other values depending upon the materials andconfiguration of tray 56 and structures connecting tray 56 to edge strip54 or to housing 12.

As further shown by FIG. 2, in response to a load 66 greater than thepredetermined threshold value, tray 56 of media output 32 separates fromedge stop and 54 of media output 32. This may result in tray 56 of mediaoutput 32 contacting and applying a load to a tray of an underlyingmedia output. As a result, the tray 56 of the underlying media output 34may separate and apply a load to tray 56 of the underlying media output.This, domino effect may occur for each of media outputs associated withmedia interaction device 10. In yet other embodiments, trays 56 ofdifferent media outputs may be sufficiently spaced such that separationof one tray may not result in separation of adjacent trays.

In the example illustrated, trays 56 are configured to separate fromedge strips 54 by pivoting downward under the force of gravity and aload upon such trays as indicated by arrows 70. Upon separation, tethers58 limit the degree to which trays 56 fall to reduce damage to trays 56.In other embodiments, trays 56 may be permitted to fall in the absenceof tethers 58. Although not illustrated, in those embodiments in whichmedia input 14 is similar to media outputs 32, 34 and 36, media input 14may also separate or breakaway in response to experiencing a loadgreater than a predetermined threshold.

FIGS. 3-9 illustrate media interaction device 110, another embodiment ofmedia interaction device 10. Media interaction device 110 includeshousing 112, media input 14, media transport 16, interaction element 18and finishing elements 22, 24, 26, and job separator assembly 130providing media outputs 132, 134, 136 and 138. Housing 112 is similar tohousing 12 described above with respect to FIG. 1. Housing 112 supportsand at least partially encloses remaining elements of media interactiondevice 110. Housing 112 further supports job separator assembly 130along an exterior of housing 112. Media input 14, media transport 16,interaction element 18 and finishing elements 22, 24 and 26 areillustrated and described above with respect to device 10 in FIG. 1.

Job separator assembly 130 comprises an arrangement of components orstructures coupled to housing 112 and configured to receive and separatedischarged media. In the example illustrated, job separator assembly 130is removably coupled to housing 112. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate jobseparator assembly 130 in more detail. As shown by FIGS. 4 and 5, jobseparator assembly 130 includes brackets 200, an edge strip 204 for eachof media outputs 132-138, a tray 206 for each of media outputs 132-138and a tether 208 for each of media outputs 132-138.

As shown by FIG. 5, each bracket 200 comprises an elongate beamconfigured to be releasably mounted to housing 112 (shown in FIG. 3) ina vertical orientation. Brackets 200 are mounted to housing 112 onopposite sides of housing 112 by prongs 212. In other embodiments,brackets 200 may be mounted in to housing 112 in other fashions. Forexample, brackets 200 may be mounted to housing 112 by fasteners,welding, bonding and the like. In some embodiments, brackets 200 mayalternatively be integrally formed as part of a single unitary body withhousing 112. Although brackets 200 are illustrated as separatecomponents, in other embodiments, both brackets 200 may alternatively bejoined or formed together prior to being connected to housing 112.

Brackets 200 releasably connect trays 206 to housing 112 and a remainderof device 110. Brackets 200 generally include multiple horizontallyaligned mounting portions 214 for each media output 132-138. Eachmounting portion 214 includes a mounting cavity 216, tongue 218 andtether portion 219. Mounting cavity 216 comprises an opening extendinginto the beam structure of bracket 200. Mounting cavity 216 includesupper portion 220, middle portion 222 and lower portion 224. Upperportion 220, federal portion to 22 and lower portion to 24 are eachconfigured to bear against similarly shaped portions of tray 206 whentray 206 is connected to bracket 200. Upper portion 220 facilitatesconnection of tray 206 to bracket 200 and is generally a downwardlyfacing angled surface. Upper portion 220 extends at an angle abovehorizontal to facilitate downward linear insertion of tray 206 intocavity 216. Middle portion 222 extends between upper portion 220 andlower portion 224. In the particular example illustrated, tether 208extends from middle portion 222. Lower portion 224 facilitatesseparation of tray 206 from bracket 200 and is generally an upwardlyfacing arcuate or curved surface. Lower portion 224 facilitates rotationof tray 206 about a substantially horizontal axis in response to adownward force or load upon tray 206. In other embodiments, mountingcavity 216 may have other configurations.

Tongue 218 assists in retaining tray 206 to bracket 200 in the absenceof a load upon tray 206 exceeding the threshold. Tongue 218 is shown inmore detail in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, tongue 218 extends downwardlyfrom upper portion 220 and extends along an axis generally parallel tothe surface of upper portion 220. Tongue 218 has a generally invertedT-shape and includes neck portion 230, head portion 232 and protrusion234. Neck portion 230 extends from upper portion 220 between upperportion 220 and head portion 232. Head portion 232 extends from neckportion 230 and has an enlarged width so as to form a pair of oppositechannels 236. Protrusion 234 comprises a projection extending withineach of channels 236. As of the described in more detail hereafter,tongue 218 is received within a corresponding groove of tray 206 andprotrusion 234 projects into a corresponding detent or indent of tray206 to assist in securing and retaining tray 206 to bracket 200.

Tether portion 219 comprises that portion of bracket 200 from whichtether 208 extends. In the particular example embodiments illustrated,tether portion 219 comprises a recess configured to receive projectionsof tether 208 such a tether 208 is snapped to bracket 200. As a result,tether 208 may be separately fabricated and more easily assembled tobracket 200 without tools. In other embodiments, tether portion 219 ofbracket 200 may alternatively be configured to facilitate securement oftether 208 to bracket 200 by fasteners, adhesives or welding. In stillother embodiments, tether portion 219 may be in integrally formed aspart of a single unitary body with tether 208.

Edge strip 204 comprises a platform or ledge configured to be releasablyconnected to housing 112 so as to project from housing 112 (shown inFIG. 3) proximate to media transport 16. Edge strip 204 extends betweentray 206 and housing 112 so as to space tray 206 from housing 112. Edgestrip 204 includes an edge 238 configured to mate with with acorresponding leading edge 241 of tray 206 and upper surface 242 whichis substantially coplanar with an upper surface 242 of tray 206 tofacilitate unobstructed movement of sheets of media across the uppersurfaces of both edge strip 204 and tray 206. By separating or spacingedge 241 of tray 206 from housing 112, edge strip 204 enhancesseparation of tray 206 from housing 112 to reduce likelihood of damageto housing 112.

In the particular example embodiment illustrated, edge strip 204 isreleasably connected to housing 112 (shown in FIG. 3) by prongs 240which are configured to be inserted into corresponding openings (notshown) in housing 112. In other embodiments, edge strip 204 may bereleasably connected to housing 112 in other fashions. For example, edgestrip 204 may alternatively be connected to housing 112 by fasteners,welds, adhesive bonds in the like. In still other embodiments, edgestrip 204 may be integrally formed as part of a single unitary body withportions of housing 112. In other embodiments, edge strip 204 may beomitted and tray 206 may be directly connected to housing 112.

Tray 206 comprises one of more structures forming a platform andproviding a surface upon which discharged sheets of media t are storedand are separated. Each tray 206 is releasably connected to a mountingportion 214 of bracket 200. Each tray 206 is configured to separate orbreak-away from brackets 200 in response to a load or force upon tray206 exceeding a predetermined threshold value. The predeterminedthreshold value at which tray 206 separates from brackets 200 and aremainder of media interaction device 10 is chosen such that tray 206may support acceptable quantities of media to be interacted upon, suchas a predetermined weight of a stack of the sheets and such that tray206 will separate or breakaway from brackets 200 when the load upon tray206 is so great that damage to tray 206 or damage to the connectionbetween tray 206 and brackets 200 may otherwise occur. In is such ascenario, tray 206 is configured to separate from brackets 200 topreserve tray 206 and the connecting structures.

In the particular illustrated embodiment in which tray 206 iscantilevered, tray 206 is configured to break away or separate inresponse to the connection of tray 206 to bracket 200 experiencing atorque exceeding a predetermined threshold torque. The torqueexperienced by tray 206 is a product of the downward force imposed upontray 206 and the distance separating the center of gravity of sheets ofmedia, which may impose at least some of the downward force upon tray206, from the connection point. The threshold torque is the product of apredetermined threshold force and the distance separating an expectedlocation of the center of gravity of sheets and the connection point.Since most sheets held by the tray will have the same center of gravityregardless of how large the stack of sheets is, separation of tray 206is largely dependent upon the downward force imposed by the sheets. Incertain circumstances, downward forces imposed upon tray 206 may haveother sources such as other items shelved upon tray 206 or manualdownward forces. In other embodiments in which tray 206 is notcantilevered, tray 206 may be configured to separate in response toexperiencing a force exceeding a threshold independent of the locationof applied force.

In one embodiment, the predetermined threshold value is between about 9pounds and about 48 pounds and nominally between about 12 pounds and 37pounds spaced from the connection between bracket 200 and tray 206 byabout 210 mm. In other embodiments, the predetermined threshold may haveother values depending upon the materials and configuration of tray 206,the structures connecting tray 206 to edge strip 204 or to housing 112and the anticipated dimensions of media that will be supported by tray206. After breaking away, tray 206 may be reconnected to brackets 200.

Although tray 206 is illustrated as angled upward above horizontal, inother embodiments, tray 206 may be horizontal. Although tray 206 isillustrated as a generally flat or planar plate, in other embodiments,tray 206 may have upwardly or downwardly extending sidewalls forstrengthening tray 206 or for containing or aligning such sheets ofmedia upon tray 206.

FIG. 7 illustrates a first side of a tray 206 in more detail. As shownin FIG. 5, tray 206 has a second substantially identical side. As shownby FIG. 7, tray 206 includes platform 250 and mounting portions 254.Platform 250 comprises that portion of tray 206 configured to supportsheets of media. Platform 250 includes leading edge 241 and uppersurface 242. As noted above, leading edge 241 mates with edge 238 ofedge strip 204 once tray 206 is connected to bracket 200. Upper surface242 is substantially coplanar with upper surface 239 of edge strip 204.Upper surface 242 supports sheets of media.

Mounting portions 254 extend on opposite sides of platform 250 and areconfigured to releasably mount to mounting portions 214 of brackets 200.Each mounting portion 254 generally includes mounting projection 256,groove 258 and tether portion 259. Mounting projection 256 comprises astructure configured to be received within mounting cavity 216 ofbracket 200. In the example illustrated, mounting projection 256 isconfigured to mate with corresponding opposite surfaces of mountingcavity 216 when tray 206 is connected to bracket 200. Mountingprojection 256 includes upper portion 260, middle portion 262 and lowerportion 264. Upper portion 260 comprises upwardly facing angled surfaceconfigured to abut upper portion 220 of mounting cavity 216 (shown inFIG. 6). Upper portion 260 cooperates with upper portion 220 to duringlinear insertion of mounting projection 256 into mounting cavity 216.Middle portion 262 comprises a substantially linear surface extendingbetween upper portion 260 and lower portion 264. Middle portion 262 isconfigured to abut and substantially mate with middle portion 222 ofmounting cavity 216. Lower portion 264 comprises a substantially arcuateor curved downwardly facing surface configured to abut lower portion 224of mounting cavity 216. Lower portion 264 cooperates with upper portion224 to facilitate rotation of tray 206 about a substantially horizontalaxis in response to loads upon tray 206 exceeding a threshold.

Groove 258 comprises an elongate channel configured to slidably receivetongue 218 (shown in FIG. 5). Groove 258 slides along tongue 218 toguide insertion of mounting projection 256 into mounting cavity 216.Groove 258 further assists in retaining and securing tray 206 to bracket200. Groove 258 is partially formed by two opposing beams 270 which arecored out to have internal cavities 272. Internal cavities 272facilitate molding of beams 270 while at least partially maintaining adesired rigidity or strength of beams 270. In other embodiments, beams270 may omit such coring.

Beams 270 serve as clips to clamp about tongue 218 to assist inretaining tray 206 to brackets 200. At the same time, beams 270 areconfigured to spread apart and flex in response to a predeterminedthreshold load upon tray 206, permitting tongue 218 to be withdrawn frombetween beams 270. Beams 270 cooperate with one another to form headreceiving portion 274, captured portions 276 and indents 278. Headreceiving portion 274 is an elongate channel configured to slidablyreceive head portion 232 of tongue 218. Captured portions 276 compriseelongate bars configured to slide along and within grooves 236 of tongue218. Captured portions 276 bear against head portion 232 to retain tray206 to bracket 200. Captured portions 276 spread apart to permit headportion 232 to pass therebetween during separation of tray 206. Indents278 comprise detents configured to receive protrusions 234 of tongue 218(shown in FIG. 6).

Tether portion 259 comprises that portion of mounting projection 256from which tether 208 extends. Tether portion 259 includes cavity 284and recess 286. Cavity 284 comprises an opening above recess 286configured to receive and store a length of tether 208 while mountingprojection 256 is received within mounting cavity 216 and while tray 206is mounted to bracket 200. Recess 286 comprises an opening having areduced mouth configured to receive a portion of tether 208 tofacilitate snapping of tether 208 to mounting projection 256. In otherembodiments, recess 286 may be omitted where tether 208 is secured totray 206 in other fashions such as with fasteners, adhesives or welds orwhere tether 208 is integrally formed as part of a single unitary bodywith mounting projection 256 of tray 206. In still other embodiments,mounting projection 256 may omit tether portion 259 where tether 208extends from another portion of tray 206.

As shown by FIG. 5, tether 208 extends between bracket 200 and tray 206.Tether 208 suspends tray 206 after tray 206 has separated from bracket200 in substantially all other respects. Tether 208 reduces an extent towhich tray 206 falls and may serve to reduce potential damage to tray206 after such separation. In other embodiments, tether 208 may beomitted.

As shown by FIG. 8, tether 208 includes bracket connecting portion 290,tray connecting portion 292 and flexible intermediate length 294.Bracket connecting portion 290 comprises a pair of resiliently flexibleprongs configured to resiliently flex during insertion of portion 290into tether portion 219 of bracket 200 and to snap connecting portion290 to bracket 200. Tray connecting portion 292 also comprises a pair ofresiliently flexible prongs or hooks configured to inwardly flex duringinsertion of connection portion 292 into recess 286 and to return totheir original shape so as to snap and secure tether 208 to mountingprojection 256 of tray 206. Intermedia length 254 is formed from asufficiently flexible material to permit tray 206 to fall and separatefrom bracket 200 while suspending tray 206 from bracket 200 uponseparation of tray 206. In the embodiment illustrated, tether 208 isintegrally formed as a single unitary body. In other embodiments, tether208 before for multiple structures joined to one another. Althoughtether 208 is configured to be releasably connected to bracket 200 andto be releasably connected to tray 206 without tools, in otherembodiments, tether 208 may be fastened, welded or joined to one or bothof bracket 200 and tray 206 or maybe integrally formed as part of asingle unitary body with one or both of bracket 200 and tray 206.

FIG. 5 illustrates connection of tray 206 to bracket 200. Initially,portion 290 of tether 208 is secured to portion 219 of bracket 200.Portion 292 of tether 208 is secured to portion 259 of tray 206. Tray206 is oriented and located so as to position mounting projections 256opposite to corresponding mounting cavities 216 of bracket 200. Tray 206is linearly moved in the direction indicated by arrow 300 to insertmounting projection 256 into mounting cavity 216. During such insertion,upper portion 260 is slid along upper portion 220. Portions 276 slidewithin channels 236 until encountering protrusions 234. Beams 270 flexapart until protrusions 234 are received within indents 278. Protrusions234 and indents 278 reduce the likelihood of tray 206 walking off ofbracket as tray 206 is repeatedly loaded and unloaded. In addition, thesnapping of protrusions 234 into indents 278 provide a person withfeedback when reassembling tray 206 to bracket 200 to indicate when tray206 has been properly reassembled to bracket 200. In a particularexample illustrated, protrusions 234 are located along tongue 218 so asto contact and snap into indents 278 at a location where little or noother forces are being communicated between tray 206 and bracket 200 dueto a small dead zone created by slight twisting of beams 270. In otherembodiments, protrusions 234 and indents 278 may be at other locationsor may be omitted.

FIGS. 9A-9F illustrate separation of tray 206 from bracket 200 anddevice 110 (shown in FIG. 3) in response to a load upon tray 206exceeding a predetermined threshold. As shown by FIGS. 9A-9C, beams 270flex in response to a threshold exceeding load so as to spread apart andrelease head in 232 of tongue 218. As beams 270 flex, mountingprojection 256 rotates about a substantially horizontal axis 304,permitting tray 206 to pull away from or break away from bracket 200 andedge strip 204 (shown in FIG. 5). As shown in FIGS. 9D-9F, continuedrotation of tray 206 about axis 304 results in complete release oftongue 218. Tray 206 continues rotating to eventually fall away frombracket 200. Tether 208 remains secured between bracket 200 and tray 206to limit the extent to which tray 206 falls to reduce potential damageto tray 206. Because tray 206 separates from bracket 200 in response toa load exceeding a predetermined threshold, substantial damage to tray206 or bracket 200 is reduced, extending the life of tray 206 andbracket 200.

According to one example embodiment, each beam 270 has a length of about23 mm and a height of about 8 mm. Mounting projection 256 has a width ofabout 24 mm. Tray 206 At least mounting projections 256 of tray 206 areintegrally formed as a single unitary body out of a polymeric materialsuch as Cycoloy C1110HF commercially available from GE Plastics. In aparticular example illustrated, such material has a tensile modulus of2.482 GPa and a flexural strength of 86.9 MPa. In the exampleembodiment, beams 270 are configured to deflect or flex approximately 1mm during release of tongue 218. In other embodiments, tray 206 andbracket 200 may have other dimensions and may be formed from othermaterials.

Although bracket 200 is illustrated as including mounting cavity 216while tray 206 includes mounting projection 256, in other embodiments,this relationship may be reversed. Although bracket 200 is illustratedas including tongue 218 while tray is illustrated as including groove258, in other embodiments, this relationship may also be reversed.Although bracket 200 is illustrated as including four mounting portions214, in other embodiments, bracket 200 may alternatively include greateror less than four mounting portions 214.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference toexample embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the claimed subject matter. For example, although differentexample embodiments may have been described as including one or morefeatures providing one or more benefits, it is contemplated that thedescribed features may be interchanged with one another or alternativelybe combined with one another in the described example embodiments or inother alternative embodiments. Because the technology of the presentdisclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology areforeseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to theexample embodiments and set forth in the following claims is manifestlyintended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specificallyotherwise noted, the claims reciting a single particular element alsoencompass a plurality of such particular elements.

1. An apparatus comprising: a first media tray configured to bereleasably connected to a media interaction device at a first connectionpoint, wherein the first tray is configured to separate from the deviceat the first connection point in response to a downward force on thefirst tray exceeding a first threshold and prior to substantial plasticdeformation of the tray or the media interaction device.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising a flexible tether extending fromthe tray and configured to be connected to the device.
 3. The apparatusof claim 1 further comprising an edge step configured to extend betweenand space the tray from the device when the tray is connected to thedevice.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising the mediainteraction device.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising asecond media tray configured to be releasably connected to a mediainteraction device, wherein the second tray is configured to separatefrom the device in response to a force on the second tray exceeding asecond threshold.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tray isconfigured to be connected to the media interaction device with anapplied connection force and wherein the threshold force is less thanthe applied connection force.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thetray is configured to be connected to the media interaction device bybeing translated along a first axis towards the media interaction deviceand to separate from the media interaction device by rotating about asecond axis perpendicular to the first axis.
 8. The apparatus of claim7, wherein the first axis is inclined above horizontal.
 9. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the first threshold is a force within a range ofbetween about 9 and about 48 pounds.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1further comprising a bracket configured to be coupled to the mediainteraction device, the bracket including one of a tongue and a groovedstructure, wherein the tray includes the other of a tongue and a groovedstructure, the grooved structure receiving the tongue to connect thetray to the bracket.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of thetongue and the grooved structure includes a protrusion and the other ofthe tongue and the grooved structure includes a corresponding indent,wherein the protrusion is configured to flex during insertion of thetongue into the grooved structure and to snap into the intent uponinsertion of the tongue by a predetermined extent into the groovedstructure.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the grooved structureincludes beams on opposite sides of a groove, the beams being cored out.13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a bracket configured tobe coupled to the media interaction device, the bracket having one of amounting recess and a mounting projection, wherein the tray has theother of a mounting recess and a mounting projection, wherein themounting projection is received within the mounting recess, wherein themounting projection includes an angled upward facing surface and adownward and facing curved surface and wherein the mounting recessincludes a downward facing angled surface and an upward facing curvedsurface.
 14. A method comprising: connecting a tray to a mediainteraction device; and separating the tray from the media interactiondevice at a connection point using downward force from a load on thetray that exceeds a threshold prior to substantial plastic deformationof the tray or the media interaction device.
 15. The method of claim 14further comprising tethering the tray from the media interaction deviceafter the tray is separated from the media interaction device.
 16. Themethod of claim 14 further comprising spacing a leading edge of the trayfrom the media interaction device by an edge strip.
 17. The method ofclaim 1, wherein connecting the tray to the media interaction deviceincludes linearly moving the tray towards the media interaction devicealong an axis and wherein separating the tray from the media interactiondevice includes pivoting the tray about a second axis perpendicular tothe first axis.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the tray is connectedto the media interaction device using a first connection force less thanthe force from the load on the tray that results in the tray beingseparated from the media interaction device.
 19. The method of claim 14wherein separating the tray from the media interaction device is at athreshold of between about 9 pounds and about 48 pounds.
 20. Anapparatus comprising: means for supporting sheets of media relative to amedia interaction device; and means for connecting the means forsupporting to the media interaction device at a connection point and forseparating the means for supporting from the media interaction device atthe connection point in response to a downward load on the means forsupporting exceeding a threshold prior to substantial plasticdeformation of the means for connecting.